A routine inspection by two inspectors from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention uncovered unsanitary conditions aboard the Carnival Cruise Line’s ship, the Triumph. The CDC gave the 2754-passenger ship a rare failing grade for more than two dozen violations. Most cruise ships owned and operated by the major cruise lines routinely pass health inspections, scoring 86 points or more out of 100.

Inspectors found flies in food prep areas and at beverage stations, food items like milk, eggs, and cheese stored at temperatures above the 41-degrees-or-less guidelines, soiled water fountains, and general disrepair in food areas. These issues all led to an inspection score of 78 out of 100 for the cruise ship.

The cruise line, based in Doral, Florida, issued a statement saying that it has corrected the issues noted in the report and has requested an immediate re-inspection. People may remember that the Carnival Triumph was in the news in 2013, when it suffered engine failure at sea, stranding guests on board and leading to unsanitary conditions. That fateful event led to extensive media coverage and negative publicity for the ship and the cruise line.

The Triumph now sails from New Orleans, and while the cruise line claims the issues have been addressed, we are still monitoring the situation. It is the responsibility of cruise lines to protect guests from harm and keep conditions as sanitary as possible for those aboard. If they fail to do so and you become ill as a result, you may be eligible to pursue legal action.

For more on this story, read more at The Miami Herald. We will keep you updated on any new developments.

Have you ever wanted to visit the Galapagos Islands? How about doing so in luxury and style? Well, if that trip has been on your list of things to do, Celebrity Cruises may have an option that you would enjoy. The Miami based cruise company announced that it is building a specialty ship named the Celebrity Flora that will sail to the famous archipelago located off the coast of Ecuador. This custom-built ship specifically for this particular voyage is a small-ship design which will hold only 100 passengers. Unlike the larger ships with interior rooms, balcony rooms, and suites, this ship features an all-suite design, with large floor-to-ceiling glass windows on entire decks of the boat, designed for viewing and connection with the beautiful surroundings.

The new trend in cruise ships of this size, known as “expedition vessels” includes high-end amenities without all of the crowds on larger cruise ships. The Celebrity Flora will have two dining rooms, outdoor casual spaces, cabanas on deck that can be used to lounge under the stars, and three educational areas where passengers can learn more about the flora and fauna of the famed Galapagos islands.

Adventure and expedition cruises are becoming more popular, according to cruise industry insiders. It is likely that people are starting to gravitate to these smaller tours, with more personalized attention and fewer crowds. The educational and exploratory nature of cruises like this one likely appeal to those who are not looking for just a good time, but want to learn something along the way.

To learn more about the new cruise from Celebrity Cruises, read the entire story at the Miami Herald.

In 2020, Virgin Voyages will launch new ships that will be for travelers ages 18 and up.

The company made the decision to launch the no kids allowed line after seeking input from travelers. The president and CEO of Virgin Voyages, Tom McAlpin, said that this customer input highlighted that people wanted to “set sail in an environment that felt more elevated.”

The three ships will have room for 2,860 passengers. Some analysts say that it may be challenging to make such sizable ships successful without revenue from families.

The new ships aim to be more environmentally friendly. They incorporate technology that transforms heat generated by the engines into electricity. They will also include a new waste management system that could dramatically decrease the amount of waste the ship discharges into the ocean, instead turning it to energy.

Most major cruise lines are aware of a traveler’s need for wellness and activity during their vacation and offer a variety of accommodations like rock-climbing, on-board sports, and spas to cater to their health conscious customers. A new startup cruise ship, Blue World Voyages, is taking this trend a step farther by committing to providing a cruise experience completely centered around wellness and fitness. According to a new article from the Miami Herald, this new cruise ship would boast of a retractable pool that goes directly into the ocean, virtual reality baseball and golf, and farm-to-table food that comes from the very places the ship visits.

The startup cruise line is still in the process of obtaining necessary funds from investors and has already raised $15 million in investments and expects around $10 million more from crowdfunding efforts. Despite these efforts, certain cruise experts are skeptical of the ship’s success, noting that most major cruise lines already cater to the wellness wanderer and that the proposed fitness ship would be too niche to compete with these already well established ships. Whether the startup makes it off the ground or not is yet to be seen, but fitness lovers should keep an eye out to see if this innovative ship makes it on the market.

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Although cruise ships are meant to offer fun and relaxation, sometimes even these nautical vacations can prove dangerous. Theft, assault, and accidents that result in injury are unfortunately common occurrences on cruise ships, and many victims do not get the help they need following such incidents. Louis A. Vucci, P.A. believes that every victim should receive justice and compensation for the crimes committed against them. If you have any questions or would like to set up an appointment with a qualified Miami cruise ship injury attorney, please contact us at (786) 375-0344 today.

Cruise ships are known for their luxury accommodations, adventures, and exhilarating activities. From rock climbing and basketball courts to water slides and on-board surfing, cruise lines continue to compete and improve their amenities, adding more interesting and blood-pumping experiences every year. Norwegian Cruise Lines and Scuderia Ferrari have partnered together to introduce the newest experience vacation cruises have to offer, a two-floor racetrack that can accommodate up to ten electric go-karts at a time. This new addition changes the cruise-ship game and demonstrates the increasingly competitive quality of cruises, a definite plus for adventurers on vacation cruises.

This amenity is not the only new one the Norwegian Joy has to offer. The ship also contains such fantastic new technologies as hovercraft bumper cars, outdoor laser tag, revolutionary water slides, and much more. This expansive ship will set sail this June from Shanghai to Tianjin. Upgrading to more high-end rooms can yield passengers even more benefits on this luxurious cruise, like free usage of the monumental racetrack. Norwegian Joy is a revolution for cruise lines, and new and more extravagant cruise ships will undoubtedly crop up to compete with this novel pioneer.

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Cruises are meant to be altogether fun, relaxing, memorable experiences for individuals and families of all ages. Unfortunately, some activities meant to be fun can result in serious injuries, in addition to other dangers on board. If you or a loved one has been injured or hurt from your stay on a cruise line, you may be entitled to compensation to make up for the physical, emotional, and financial losses you have endured. At Louis A. Vucci, P.A., our qualified cruise ship injury legal team has years of experience with these cases and will fight for the full compensation you deserve. Please contact us at (786) 375-0344 today.

When people spend money on a cruise and take time off from their hectic lives, they reasonably expect to have a fun and relaxing time. They may lounge by the pool, attend a magic show, or go on late night food runs to a ship’s 24-hour buffet. Easy, light, and fun should all characterize a passenger’s experience on a cruise, but unfortunately, this isn’t always the case.

For example, in February 2016, a couple aboard a Carnival cruise ship was violently beaten and attacked in their own room by another passenger. Louis A. Vucci, P.A. in Miami is representing the couple as they are now accusing Carnival Cruise Line of inadequate security and negligence. They add ship employees gave the attacker too much alcohol. Their harrowing experience demonstrates the hidden danger of cruise lines and the prevalence of attacks on-board.

If you go on a cruise, please have fun, but also be cautious and vigilant of potential dangers around you. Although such attacks should not occur and it is the responsibility of the cruise line to keep its passengers healthy and safe, these attacks still do unfortunately occur, as proven with the case above. If you or a loved one has been wrongfully injured or attacked on a cruise line, you may be entitled to compensation for your trauma because the cruise line failed in their responsibility of keeping you safe. If you have any questions or would like to set up an appointment with a qualified cruise attorney, please contact Louis A. Vucci, P.A. at (786) 375-0344 today.

Koningsdam—Holland America Line’s newest and largest ship—has a decidedly modern feel without sacrificing traditional cruise ship luxuries. Form follows function, so the Koningsdam succeeds in blending both familiar and fresh aesthetic aspects to create a luxurious experience.

Koningsdam differs from Holland America Line’s previous ships because it is light and spacious; pale woods and bright spaces of Koningsdam’s interior replace dark woods of earlier ships. Other changes include a lighter color scheme for towels, as well as a transition from oil paintings to black-and-white photographs. The addition of curved ribs to the ship reflects an appreciation for musical themes, a central aspect of Koningsdam’s appeal.

The ship also does not fall short on entertainment. Classical musicians of the Lincoln Center soothe, while Memphis-trained singers featured in the B.B. King Blues Club delight passengers. LED screens 2 stories high and 250 feet long ensure nobody misses the incredible live song-and-dance production.

Dining establishments complement the elegant design and spectacular entertainment of the Koningsdam. Upon request, passengers receive private bottles of quality wine from Chateau Ste. Michelle vineyards, Cold Creek, and Canoe Ridge Estate. Hands-on classes and demonstrations contribute to the urban feel of the ship. The Culinary Art Center presents five-course meals and unlimited wine. Between the amazing dining experience, incredible live entertainment, and intricate design of Koningsdam, the ship guarantees a comfortable and sophisticated ambiance to the satisfaction of its passengers.

Louis A. Vucci, P.A. understands that you go on a cruise to have a carefree and relaxing break. However, accidents can still happen on vacation, and occasionally the cruise ship company’s negligence makes accidents more likely. If you sustained an injury because of a cruise company’s irresponsibility, call our offices at (786) 375-0344 for the compensation you deserve.

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings has unveiled the most opulent luxury cruise ship that you are likely to find on the seven seas. The aptly named Regent Seven Seas Explorer makes no effort to hide its multi-million dollar amenities set to create an exorbitant cruise experience that is, thus far, unprecedented. The ship is complete with a 542 person wait staff—roughly equivalent to one crew member for every 1.4 guests—ready to attend to its 750 passengers’ every whim. Drinks are refilled with lightning speed, most suites are equipped with a marble shower stall and tub, and menu items include a lobster, caviar, foie gras, and escargot spread under a $200,000 chandelier.

Frank Del Rio, president and CEO of Norwegian, calls the ship a trophy: “This ship was built for 1-percenters.” The 2,400 pieces of fine art that adorn the walls amount to just over $7 million and are highlighted by a 6,000-piece crystal chandelier. When building the ship, Del Rio gave designers and contractors free reign to create the most indulgent cruise experience ever heard of. While the soft budget for the ship was $450 million, Del Rio admits that money was no object and the cruise line exceeded their budget by an amount they were unwilling to reveal.

The high-class ship is a departure from the usual, recreation-centered cruises offered by Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian. The ostentatious cruise experience is meant to “create wows” and serves as a response to the increased demand set by the booming luxury cruise industry. As it stands, more luxury cruise ships are expected to come to fruition in the future, with all major cruise lines having at least one on order.

The refined, cultural experience offered by cruise ships is relaxing, but can sometimes be marred by unanticipated injury or illness. If you have suffered an accident on a cruise ship, don’t hesitate to contact the well-versed cruise ship injury lawyers at Louis A. Vucci, P.A. to recoup your losses from the cruise line that is accountable. Reach out to us by calling (786) 375-0344 to speak to a member of our legal team today.

A new addition to the fleet of Regent Seven Seas Cruises is the Seven Seas Explorer, a massive and beautiful luxury cruise ship.

The Explorer features six restaurants, offering a variety of creative entrees, and one café. On the different decks you can find a pool, two hot tubs, putting greens, a bocce court, jogging track, and theater that performs nightly shows, a lounge that features music, a small casino, a well-stocked library, a cardroom, and of course, shuffleboards. Canyon Ranch Spa offers a variety of relaxing treatments including scrubs, wraps, baths, and massages. Also featured at the spa are a thermal suite with a sauna, as well as steam and cold rooms. Suites on the ship are spacious and many include balconies, bath tubs, showers, and walk-in closets. The overall ambiance of the ship is elegant and cool with a very spacious feel. With a crew member for every 1.4 guests, it is easy to get the attention you need.

Unfortunately, luxurious amenities are not the case for all cruise ships. When the number of crew members is low and guest needs are not attended to, incidents are more likely to occur and injuries can happen. If you are injured on a cruise ship, contact Louis A. Vucci, P.A. at (786) 375-0344. Our team is ready to help you get the money you deserve.

Royal Caribbean recently unveiled the newest addition to its Oasis Class fleet: the Harmony of the Seas. The ship spans 10 stories and contains seven unique neighborhoods for passengers to explore. The idea behind the ship’s sprawling design is to avoid guests congregating in a single area. The Harmony contains an array of attractions, from a carnival-themed Boardwalk with a carousel to a Central Park area with a full range of specialty restaurants. With seven different areas embodying seven different themes, guests feel more compelled to move around.

This idea was put to the test on the ship’s preview trip. The ship was at capacity, but still many guests were surprised to learn that more than 6,000 other passengers accompanied them onboard. The ship attracts this number by trying to provide something for everyone. Zip-lining and a trip down the multilevel slide might appeal to more adventurous-minded passengers, while seeing one of the many new theatrical productions may appeal to others. Harmony showcases a variety of entertainment options, including a comedy show, an ice skating show, an acrobat and diving show, and an adaptation of “Grease” that blends together the Broadway musical and the 1978 movie.

One of the ship’s main selling points is the unique bar area that seems straight out of a science fiction movie. Robotic bartenders take orders form tablets placed around the bar. They then mix drinks from a full range of bottles that hang from the bar’s celling. The ship also features WOWbands, wristbands created to lessen the need for room keys. The bands come in a range of colors and can complete any key card task short of turning on the lights in your cabin.

The increased automation onboard the Harmony is designed to match the utmost ease of use that guests have become accustomed to. With new technologies such as these also comes new problems. With fewer human staff onboard to resolve these issues, the chance of misconduct and injury can also increase. If you suffer an injury on a cruise ship and would like legal assistance, then seek the legal assistance of the cruise ship injury attorneys at Louis A. Vucci, P.A. by calling our offices at (786) 375-0344.